Personality tests have become increasingly popular over the years. Many different types have emerged, but the one that stands out as one of the most credible is the Myers–Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI). This formula presents 16 different types of basic personality types, with each type having a slightly different twist on its own.
Each personality type is coded with four letters. E (extraversion) or I (introversion) — how one is energized; S (sensing) or N (intuition) — how one takes in and processes information; T (thinking/logic) or F (feeling) — how one makes decisions; and P (perceiving) or J (judging) – how one plans and organizes life.
No one person is strictly an extrovert or strictly a feeler, etc., but some combination. The letters only refer to which one is more dominant in a person’s personality. One of the great things about the MBTI is the way it gives the person taking the test a point scale for each letter. This is where a person’s unique attributes show up in a big way.
According to the Myers-Briggs website, “The goal of knowing about personality type is to understand and appreciate differences between people. As all types are equal, there is no best type.”
Some say studying personalities has no merit. They claim it only leads to putting people in boxes and stereotyping them. I feel the exact opposite. I have found the study of personality types — particularly with the Myers-Briggs evaluation — extremely helpful in my everyday interactions with friends, family, colleagues and even random people I meet at the bank. By knowing the different types and how they relate to the others, I am able to better understand others as well as myself.
For example, my type is ISFJ. Since I’ve read and studied about who I am, I have found ways to maximize my strengths and improve my weaknesses. More importantly though, instead of merely getting frustrated with a friend or family member when they act a certain way, I’m able to unravel the situation and see where that person coming from according to his or her brain wiring.
My sister and I are exact opposites on the spectrum (this makes her an ENTP). Therefore, we see life through very different eyes. However, through studying the personality types, we have both learned to validate and understand each other’s viewpoints.
This knowledge also helps quite a bit in dating and marital relationships. Both parties should seek to understand their areas of commonality and difference. The benefits reaped from this can prove to be mind-blowing.
Some psychologists and analysts disagree with the test, the types of questions it asks and its method of scoring. While we should acknowledge no test can ever fully explain the complexities of a human being, we should still recognize some come as close as possible to doing the task. The MBTI is straightforward and full of finesse when it comes to profiling a person’s personality. We should appreciate its usefulness and take advantage of the insight it provides.
